Signup Login

Get in touch with us

Carbon Fiber Tripod vs Aluminum: Which is Best?

Carbon Fiber Tripod vs Aluminum Which is Best image

Photo by Mumemories  via iStock

When it comes to tripods, the same age-old debate always pops up – Which is better, carbon fiber vs aluminum tripods? And the answer is, it depends! Carbon fiber tripods are superior in some ways, while aluminum tripods excel in others. With that in mind, if you want to find out which type is right for you, you’ve come to the right place. 

In this tripod guide, we share what you should be looking for in your next tripod, the strengths/weaknesses of carbon fiber vs aluminum, the price difference between the two, and we even recommend some of our favorite tripods currently on the market. One important thing to remember, though, is that regardless of which material you decide upon, you always want to buy a tripod from a trustworthy and reliable brand. 

One such company is Vanguard. They are an award-winning photography company that has been manufacturing high-quality photo and video gear at affordable prices for over 30 years. They specialize in tripods and camera bags but also make excellent monopods, heads, and more! Moreover, all their products come fully backed by money-back guarantees, allowing you to make your purchases confidently and worry-free.

Now, without further ado, let’s dive in and discover whether a carbon fiber tripod vs aluminum tripod best suits you and your needs!

Check out the video above by VanguardPhotoUK to learn more about a few of the top Vanguard aluminum and carbon fiber tripods on sale today.

Table of Contents

What to Look for in a Tripod?

What to Look for in a Tripod image

Whether you are a beginner or a professional, a tripod is an essential part of any photographer's kit. And with so many different options out there, we know it can be challenging to decide which one to purchase. Here are the main factors you should consider before buying a new carbon fiber vs aluminum tripod:

  • Material (carbon fiber vs aluminum)
  • Portability
  • Durability
  • Stability
  • Stiffness
  • Price

We will take a deeper look at those features in the following sections. In addition, other important characteristics to keep in mind include maximum/minimum height, leg/feet type, weight rating, the type of head, and whether or not it has a quick-release system. 

Carbon Fiber Tripod vs Aluminum Tripod: Portability

Vanguard Alta Pro 2 263CT Carbon Fiber Tripod image

Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263CT Carbon Fiber Tripod

Two of the first things you must look at when shopping for a new tripod are its size and weight. You want to make sure that you invest in a tripod that is compact and portable enough not to be a burden. And more importantly, portable enough that you actually bring it with you when you go out to shoot. 

Having said that, carbon fiber tripods are lighter than aluminum ones. I had a heavy aluminum tripod for years, and 90% of the time, I left it at home simply because I couldn’t be bothered to lug it around. Now I own the Vanguard Alta Pro 2 + 263CT Carbon Fiber Tripod, and it comes with me everywhere!

Landscape, nature, action, adventure, and travel photographers are all groups who will love the portability of carbon fiber tripods.

Decision: Carbon Fiber

Carbon Fiber Tripod vs Aluminum Tripod: Durability

Carbon Fiber Tripod Durability image

Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263CT Carbon Fiber Tripod

Tripods can be expensive, so you want to buy one that is durable and won’t wear down or break after only a few uses. Lucky for you, as long as you get a high-quality tripod, both carbon fiber tripods vs aluminum tripods are extremely durable.

Even though carbon fiber is stronger than aluminum pound for pound, both types of tripods should last for years as long as you take proper care of them. The most common points of failure on tripods are the locks, so you should systematically check them every once in a while. 

The one major advantage of carbon fiber is that it is corrosion-resistant, meaning it won’t rust. However, rust shouldn't be an issue if you always wipe down and dry off your aluminum tripod after it gets wet. 

Decision: Tie

Carbon Fiber Tripod vs Aluminum Tripod: Stability

Vanguard Alta Pro 2 263AB Aluminum Tripod image

Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB Aluminum Tripod

Due to their heavier weight, aluminum tripods are typically more stable than carbon fiber tripods. Stability comes into play when you are setting up your tripod on uneven surfaces or when you are shooting on windy days. For example, the Vanguard Alta Pro 2 + 263AB Aluminum Tripod offers more stability than the Vanguard Alta Pro 2 + 263CT Carbon Fiber Tripod. 

Stability is especially important when shooting long exposures and when recording video. This is because even the slightest movement or camera shake will significantly reduce the quality of your content. Filmmakers and videographers almost always prefer working with aluminum (or steel) tripods.

One way to add extra stability to both carbon fiber tripods vs aluminum tripods is by using the counter-weight loops found at the bottom of the pole. While not every tripod has this feature, most high-end ones do, including almost all Vanguard tripods.

Decision: Aluminum

Learn More:

Carbon Fiber Tripod vs Aluminum Tripod: Stiffness

Carbon Fiber Tripod Stiffness image

Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263CT Carbon Fiber Tripod

First, let’s start by defining stiffness–the inability to move easily or the quality of being strong. Why is this important for a tripod? Well, having a stiff tripod means it won’t vibrate or bend, leading to sharper and clearer photos and videos.

Since carbon fiber is much stronger and more rigid than aluminum, it has the upper hand in terms of stiffness. Another advantage of stiffer carbon fiber tripods is that they can support heavier loads than their aluminum counterparts (even though they are lighter). This comes in handy when using large and heavy telephoto lenses.

The only downside of having a stiffer tripod is that they can occasionally break since they don’t flex. But this is very uncommon and will only occur if something hits it with extreme force. 

Decision: Carbon Fiber

Carbon Fiber Tripod vs Aluminum Tripod: Price

Aluminum Tripod Price image

Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB Aluminum Tripod

Finally, let's talk about price. Since carbon fiber is more expensive on its own, it only makes sense that carbon fiber tripods cost more than aluminum tripods. Having said that, the price of carbon fiber tripods has dropped significantly over the years, and the difference between the two has never been smaller. 

For instance, the Vanguard Alta Pro 2 + 263AB Aluminum Tripod is currently on sale for around $190, and you can find the Vanguard Alta Pro 2 + 263CT Carbon Fiber Tripod for only $200. That’s an absolute steal!

If you are on a super tight budget, cheap aluminum tripods are $30 or less, while a cheap carbon fiber tripod will cost you around $100.  

Decision: Aluminum

Final Thoughts on Carbon Fiber Tripods vs Aluminum Tripods

Thoughts on Carbon Fiber Tripods vs Aluminum Tripods image

So, which one is ideal for you? At the end of the day, it all depends on what your needs are as a photographer/videographer and your budget. With that said, here are our final recommendations:

If size, weight, and portability are crucial, you should go for a carbon fiber tripod. Additionally, people who commonly shoot in extremely cold or hot weather will prefer working with carbon fiber because it does a better job of conducting heat – meaning it gets less cold in cold temperatures and less hot in hot temperatures. 

Conversely, thanks to their elite stability and lower prices, videographers and budget-conscience photographers should opt for aluminum tripods. We hope you have found this article useful, and before you go, don’t forget to check out the list below of our favorite carbon fiber tripods vs aluminum tripods! 

Other Recommended Photography Gear

Learn More:



We Recommend